Miscellaneous

BRONCO-BULLDOG RIVALRY TOPS THE WACIt was a game that sparked a rivalry. Rewind to October 19, 2001 in Fresno, California. With talk of busting the BCS and all eyes on 8th ranked Fresno State and All-American quarterback David Carr, an upstart Boise State team pulled the WAC shocker o

BRONCO-BULLDOG RIVALRY TOPS THE WAC

Boise State Depth Chart

Boise State Game Notes

Boise State Stats

It was a game that sparked a rivalry. Rewind to October 19, 2001 in Fresno, California. With talk of busting the BCS and all eyes on 8th ranked Fresno State and All-American quarterback David Carr, an upstart Boise State team pulled the WAC shocker of the year with a 35-30 road win, ruining a Bulldog undefeated season and BCS hopes.

Fast forward to present, and what is now the biggest rivalry game in the Western Athletic Conference. BoiseState-FresnoState. Typically first place in the conference is on the line, and more times than not, something even bigger. This season, the Broncos are playing to keep a perfect regular season intact and outside hopes of a BCS invitation. FresnoState, on the other hand, is playing for bowl positioning and the chance to return the favor from 2001, by ending an undefeated Bronco season.

In a rivalry game that generates fan interest and talk all year, the irony lies in the fact that each of the past six games have been slanted to one side or the other. In fact, the only game decided by single digits since BoiseState joined the WAC came in that 2001 match-up. BoiseState is 6-1 against FresnoState as a WAC member, outscoring the Bulldogs by a per game average of 41 to 21. FresnoState’s lone win in that span came in 2005, an all Bulldogs affair, in a three touchdown victory.

Below is a recap of each game in the rivalry, including memorable Bronco plays.

Oct. 19, 2001 Boise State 35, FresnoState 30. BoiseState ended 8th ranked FresnoState’s undefeated season and BCS hopes with a 35-30 victory. The Broncos scored 21 second half points, and then held the Bulldogs on fourth and goal in the closing seconds to secure the win.

Key Bronco Plays: Ryan Dinwiddie finds Jay Swillie on a 54 yard touchdown pass with 7:12 to play, giving Boise State a 35-28 lead. Swillie bounced off one FresnoState defender and broke the tackle of another en route to the end zone. On the last play of the game, linebacker Greg Sasser sacks Bulldog quarterback David Carr before he could throw into the end zone.

Oct. 18 2002 Boise State 67, FresnoState 21. It was an offensive explosion by BoiseState in the original “Orange Out” at a sold out Bronco Stadium. Ryan Dinwiddie threw for 406 yards and five touchdowns, as BoiseState amassed 688 yards of total offense.

Key Bronco Plays: Brock Forsey has two first half diving touchdowns, helping the Broncos build a 27-7 lead. In the third quarter, Dinwiddie rolled out and bought time, finding tight end Rocky Atkinson, who barreled down the sideline diving into the end zone for a 39 yard score to give the Broncos a 34-7 lead.

Nov. 16, 2003 Boise State 31, FresnoState 17. BoiseState followed up its 2001 road win at Fresno with another victory in Bulldog Stadium. Wide receiver Tim Gilligan caught six passes for 149 yards and one touchdown as the Broncos won a second straight WAC title.

Key Bronco Plays: Dinwiddie and Gilligan hook up on a quick slant pass that turns into a 73 yard touchdown play, giving the Broncos a quick 14-0 first quarter lead. Dinwiddie finds T.J. Acree on a perfect touch pass late in the second quarter for a 23 yard score and a 28-7 Bronco lead.

Oct. 23, 2004 Boise State 33, FresnoState 16. The 16th ranked Broncos used a dominating defensive effort en route to fourth straight win over the Bulldogs. FresnoState was limited to just 191 yards of total offense, including just 17 yards rushing.

Key Bronco Plays: Deshan Cabaong picks off Bulldog quarterback Paul Pinegar in the fourth quarter. Tight end Andy Weldon cashed in the Cabaong interception with a five yard touchdown reception from Jared Zabranksy, sealing the win.

Nov. 10, 2005 Fresno State 27, BoiseState 7. FresnoState snapped a four game losing streak to BoiseState, scoring 27 unanswered first half points. The Bulldog defense limited the Broncos 294 yards of total offense and three turnovers.

Key Bronco Play: Jeff Carpenter started game scoring with a 67 yard touchdown run on BoiseState’s first series of the game.

Nov. 1, 2006 Boise State 45, FresnoState 21. Marching toward an undefeated season and Tostitos Fiesta Bowl berth, BoiseState opened a 24-7 halftime lead on the Bulldogs. Two third quarter touchdowns pushed that lead to 38-7, as the Broncos tallied 300 yards rushing.

Key Bronco Plays: Drisan James and Jared Zabransky hook up on a 28 yard scoring play just minutes after Fresno State took a 7-3 lead on a 93 yard kickoff return for touchdown. Ian Johnson scores two rushing touchdowns, taking over the nation’s scoring lead.

Oct. 26, 2007 Boise State 34, FresnoState 21. Led by freshmen running backs Jeremy Avery and D.J. Harper, the Broncos punished FresnoState on the ground to the tune of 282 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns. Harper accounted for 153 yards and one score, while Avery also went over the century mark with 124 yards and three touchdowns.

Key Bronco Plays: Harper breaks tackles and spins his way into the end zone from 22 yards out late in the first quarter to tie the game at 14-14. Avery comes through with back-to-back touchdown runs late in the third quarter (10 yards) and then early in the fourth quarter (24 yards) to break the game open at 31-14.